Is TikTok Returning to India? Here’s What We Know So Far
TikTok’s official website is accessible for some users in India, sparking speculation about its return after being banned in 2020. However, the app is still unavailable on Play Store and App Store.
TikTok’s official website becomes accessible in India, fueling speculation about the app’s possible comeback.
Given that some users can now access the app's official website, TikTok may be teasing a potential return to India five years after it was banned.
The Unexpected Departure of TikTok in 2020
Citing worries about data privacy and national security, the Indian government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps in June 2020. More than 200 million Indian users, many of whom depended on the short-video platform for entertainment and content production, had their access immediately terminated by the action.
Relaunch of the Website
The official TikTok website is now accessible on laptops and mobile devices, per Times Now Tech's checks. Nevertheless, a number of users on X (formerly Twitter) have reported that they are still unable to access it, suggesting that its availability might be limited or still being tested.
The TikTok app hasn't formally relaunched, though, as it is still not available in India's Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
The resurgence of interest also coincides with improving ties between China and India. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi earlier this week. Later this month, PM Modi is also anticipated to travel to China for the SCO Summit. These diplomatic efforts have sparked conjecture that a more welcoming trade and technological landscape may allow Chinese apps like TikTok, which are currently prohibited, to reenter the Indian market.
No formal announcement has been made yet.
For now, TikTok’s return remains speculation. Neither the company nor the Indian government has issued an official statement, and the 2020 ban has not been lifted. Until regulatory approval is granted, TikTok cannot officially operate in India.
Bottom line: While the chances of TikTok making a comeback look stronger than in recent years, Indian users will have to wait for official confirmation before celebrating.
